How did the loss of the Aral Sea affect the climate of nearby regions?

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Yser River; land reclamation — land reclamation The Yser River flowing through reclaimed farmland in Belgium.

The shrinkage of the Aral Sea, primarily caused by the diversion of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers for irrigation, has had significant environmental consequences for the surrounding region.

The loss of this large body of water fundamentally altered the local climate, making it noticeably harsher. Specifically, the region now experiences more extreme winter and summer temperatures compared to the period before the sea began to recede in the 1960s.1

Beyond these temperature shifts, the exposure of the former seabed has created additional atmospheric hazards. Winds blowing across the dry lakebed frequently generate dust storms that carry toxic particles, including salt, fertilizers, and pesticides, which have severely impacted the health of local populations.1